Once upon a time, the tennis court was the site of social and sporting gatherings on various farms in the platteland and bushveld areas. There were many reasons for this, including the relative isolation of many farming communities and the fact that there were few other forms of entertainment.
Each group of farms had its own structure. At some, a rotation system was formed to host the Sunday tennis day on different farms every month. The other, more favoured, choice was to always have the gathering on a certain, well-situated farm. It was run on a club-type basis, with different farmers providing refreshments, and always proved popular.
The best courts were made of compacted ant-heap soil softened with water, with a bit of lime added, and the sun-baked the mixture into a perfectly level surface. Lime was used to mark the lines on the court.
The tennis court also served another purpose: it was a playground for youngsters. You could play cricket, football, bok in die hok, and even marbles on the smooth surface. Many a baby was wheeled around the tennis court in a pram to bring about peaceful sleep, with the birds twittering in the surrounding trees.
The cost and upkeep was shared among the members of the ‘club’. The only forms of communication were by word of mouth or through the local telephone exchange. The owners of the venue would always know in advance about the attendance to be expected.
For young men or women returning home from university, it was an ideal opportunity to melt back into the community and catch up on the news. They were made to feel important by the many questions asked of them about their studies and aspirations in life. For the younger children, it was a time of playing in the open. For teenagers, it was a chance to catch the eye of a crush!
Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 24 September 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 24 September 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
